Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

David F. Gordon, seventh President Judge of Berks county, from 1849
to 1851, was born at Philadelphia Nov. 20, 1795. He received a
classical education at the University of Pennsylvania, studied law
and was admitted to practice in 1816. He remained in that city
until 1824, when he removed to Reading and was admitted to practice
in the several courts of Berks county. He continued in active
practice here for eight years, and then purchased the Berks and
Schuylkill Journal, a weekly English newspaper, published at
Reading. He published this paper very successfully until 1838, then
sold it and resumed his law practice. After practising for eleven
years, he was appointed president judge of the county, which had
just been erected into a separate judicial district. He remained on
the Bench until December, 1851, retiring then by virtue of the
amendment to the Constitution, under which the office of judge
became elective, and the Hon. J. Pringle Jones was chosen to fill
this position for ten years. He was recognized as an able judge,
and thoroughly conscientious in the performance of his judicial
duties. Upon retiring from the Bench, he resumed his legal practice
at Reading. He died Dec. 27, 1859.

Andrew Gossler, an energetic and enterprising business man of
Reading, Pa., and the proprietor of a tonsorial parlor at No. 46
South Fourth street, was born on the property he now occupies,
April 26, 1850, son of Andrew S. and Sarah (Ely) Gossler.

The Gosslers were of German descent, and the
first of the name to come to America were three brothers, one of
whom settled in Reading, another, it is believed, in Lancaster
county, and the third in Chester county. The first of the family of
whom there is anything definitely known was one Henry Gossler, the
grandfather of our subject. He was born in Reading, educated in the
schools and became a carpenter by trade. He died in the early part
of the eighteenth century, while yet in the prime of his life. He
married a Miss Snell, by whom he had children as follows: Jacob, a
tailor by trade, who lived in Reading; Andrew S., father of our
subject; James, who died young; and Polly, who was married to Mr.
Joseph Rorke, and for many years lived in Phoenixville. In
religious belief our subject's grandparents were Methodists.

Andrew S. Gossler was educated in the schools of
Reading and while yet a boy learned the barber's trade, following
this for fifty-six years. He died in 1881, aged seventy-one years,
and his wife in 1888, aged eighty-seven years. They were the
parents of eight children, as follows: James married (first) a Miss
Shively, and (second) Ada Clemson, and had children by the latter
marriage: Frank, Ellen, Walter, Chester, James, Joseph and Ione;
Joseph married Anna E. Hinnershitz and had two children, William
and Sarah; Washington married Kate Lants; Emma, single, is
deceased; Rebecca married Washington Heffelfinger, and has four
children, Andrew J., Edwin, Wallace and Minnie; Sarah and Clara A.
are unmarried; and Andrew, our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Gossler were
members of the M. E. Church, and took an active interest in the
work of that denomination, giving liberally to its support. He was
a member of Montgomery Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was a Democrat in
politics, although he never sought political preferment.

Andrew Gossler, our subject, was educated in the
common schools of Reading, and in September, 1865, commenced to
learn the barber's trade with his father, in a place on Penn
street, below Fourth, and remained in that shop for twenty-five
years. He then removed to his present place, and here he has
continued to follow his trade to the present time. Mr. Gossler is
very fond of all out-door sport, and with his faithful dog
"Colonel" has gone on many a rabbit-hunt. Mr. Gossler is
exceptionally vigorous, and on many hunting and fishing expeditions
has tired out men of one-half his years.

Mr. Gossler was married in 1888 to Miss Sabilla
Espenshade, daughter of Joseph Espenshade. Although a member of no
church, Mr. Gossler is a good Christian gentleman. In politics he
is a Democrat, but will accept no public office, preferring to give
his time and attention to his business.

Clinton Gottschall, proprietor of the Speedway Palace Stables, Nos.
934-936 Rose street, Reading, was born in Alsace township, five
miles from the city of Reading, in 1873, son of John and Elvina
(Smoyer) Gottschall, and grandson of George Gottschall.

Leonard Gottschall, great-grandfather of
Clinton. was a native of Germany, and came to America when a young
man, settling in Alsace township, Berks Co., Pa., where he spent
his life in agricultural pursuits.

George Gottschall, son of Leonard, was born in
that township, and there married Elizabeth Cummins, who died there
at the age of eighty-five years. He died aged eighty-two years.
They had these children: Ella Shields, Lena Delp, Sallie Sophern,
Elizabeth Newkirk, Rachel Heller, Susan Becker, John, Leonard,
Daniel and George.

John Gottschall, father of Clinton, was also
born in Alsace township. He was at one time an engineer for the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, running engine No. 9 on
the East Penn road, which he continued for eight years, and then
purchased a farm in Alsace township. He returned to Reading,
however, and was elected a constable of the fourteenth ward, being
also engaged very extensively at poultry raising.

Mr. Gottschall died in 1903, at the age of
seventy-nine years, his widow, who survives him, residing in
Reading. Their children were: John, a butcher, m. Emma Rapp, and
they reside at No. 1026 North Tenth street; Ellen m. Isaac Reiter,
of Oley township; and Clinton.

Clinton Gottschall attended the public schools
of his native township until fourteen years of age, and then went
to Chester county, and remained for a period of three years on his
father's farm. At the end of this time he came to Reading and
learned the coach blacksmithing trade, which he followed for twelve
years, and then engaged in his present business, building, in 1904,
his present modern stables, 40 x 102 feet, three stories, at Nos.
934-936 Rose street, which are among the finest in the county. He
has stable room for forty horses, and the accommodations at this
place are the best to be found in the city.

Mr. Gottschall married Daisy Fichthorn, daughter
of Reuben and Clara (Russel) Fichthorn, and to them have been born
these children; Clinton, Jr., was killed by a trolley car at Fourth
and Windsor streets Oct. 30, 1905, in his sixth year; Floyd, Helen
and Paul. In political matters Mr. Gottschall is a Republican. He
is a member of the Reformed Church, which Mrs. Gottschall also
attends.

Henry S. Gottschall, one of the representative farmers of Berks
county, Pa., who is engaged in cultivating his fine property in
Alsace township, was born June 23, 1839, in Alsace township, son of
Daniel and Hannah (Schildt) Gottschall.

George Gottschall, grandfather of Henry S., was
a son of John Gottschall and wife (nee Keller). He married Susan
Croninger, by who he had these children: Daniel; Elizabeth, m. to
John Neukirk; Sarah, m. to John Holdrie, of Indiana; Ella, m. to
John Schildt, of Alsace township; Elana, m. to William Delp;
Rachel, m. to Samuel Heller, Leonard m. to Mrs. Magdalena (Fox)
Keener; George, m. to Mrs. Elizabeth (Delp) Butterweck; and John,
m. to Elmina Schwoyer.

Daniel Gottschall, father of Henry S., was a
farmer of Alsace township, where he spent his entire life. He was
married to Hannah Schildt, and to them these children were born:
Lovina, m. to Amos Hoyer; Henry S.; Sarah, m. to Daniel Bingaman;
Daniel, who died young; and Jacob, who also died in youth.

Henry S. Gottschall received his educational
training in the common schools of his native township, and he has
always been engaged in farming. His present fine property, situated
near Seidel's blacksmith shop in Alsace township, is cultivated by
the most modern methods and machinery and presents an excellent
appearance. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and his first
vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. With his family Mr.
Gottschall attends Spies's Church of the Lutheran faith.

On June 23, 1860, Mr. Gottschall was married to
Miss L. Heist, and to this union there have been born children as
follows: Rose, m. Philip Hauck, and has three children, Harry,
Willie and Earl; Mary m. James Klopp, and has two children, Ella
and Anna; Milton m. and has eight children, Allen m. Alice Zieber
and has two children, Edna and Annie; John; Annie m. John Noll;
Maggie (Lovie) m. Samuel Sitchel.

Frank B. Gottshall, broom manufacturer and farmer in Boyertown. was
born in Douglass township, Montgomery county, Pa., March 1, 1869,
and is a member of a very highly respected family that is descended
from Rev. Jacob Gottshall.

Rev. Jacob Gottshall came over from Holland in
1702. and is said to be the direct ancestor of all of the name in
Montgomery and surrounding counties. He was a minister of the
Mennonite Church, well educated, energetic and self-sacrificing. He
was one of the three translators, from Dutch to German, of the
celebrated "Mirror of Martyrs" (1601)-a translation that was one of
the important literary achievements of Colonial Pennsylvania. The
date of his death and place of burial are not known. He preached
many years at Skippack, and may be buried in the old Mennonite
Lower Skippack Church, or he may be buried at Germantown in the
cemetery surrounding the oldest Mennonite church in America, built
in 1770, on the site of the log church erected in 1708. Some of his
children settled in Montgomery county.

Gottshall Gottschalk, great-grandfather of Frank
B., settled in Frederick township, Montgomery county, in 1781, and
his old homestead is now owned by M. C. Gottshall, a cousin of
Frank B. He was a weaver by trade, and followed that occupation in
connection with farming, doing an excellent business, and at his
death in 1824 he left a fine farm of 246 acres to be divided
between his two sons, Dillman and William.

William Gottshall, grand father of Frank B. was
born in 1784, and he inherited the farm mentioned above as the
property of M. C. Gottshall. He was the father of thirteen
children-eleven sons and two daughters --of whom twelve grew to
maturity and reared families: Rev. Moses, William, Dillman, John,
Andrew, Addison, Rev. Abraham, Gottshall, Mrs. Bergey, Mrs.
Umstead, Jacob and Joseph.

Rev. Abraham Gottshall, son of William, was born
at Schwenkville, in 1825, and he died April 1, 1901, and is buried
at Bally. He lived at Niantic, Montgomery county, where he owned a
farm of fifty-four acres. From the time he was about forty he was a
preacher of the New Mennonite Church, and was a very fluent
speaker. He was greatly beloved by those who knew him best. He
married Maria Bowman, daughter of John and Magdalena (Bower)
Bowman, of Niantic, and their children were : Diana, who died aged
fifteen years; Menno, of Boyertown Lizzie. who died unmarried at
the age of forty; John and Abraham, twins ; May, deceased wife of
Daniel Urfer ; William. of Sunbury ; Milton, of Boyertown ; Katie,
wife of harry Riegner ; Abraham, of Schwenkville and Frank B.

Frank B. Gottshall was educated in the schools
of his district and reared to farming. He worked for his parents
until his marriage, and in 1888 came to Boyertown, settling on a
tract of fifty-four acres, which he bought the following year. This
has since been his home. the house being at the corner of East
Fourth and Madison streets, at the lower end of Boyertown. The
summers are devoted to the cultivation of the land, and the winters
to the manufacture of brooms. He is a trustee in the New Mennonite
Church, to which his family also belong.

On Sept. 15. 1888, Mr. Gottshall was married to
Hannah Borneman, daughter of Amos and Margaret (Heistand) Borneman,
and granddaughter of Henry Borneman and of Abraham Heistand (of
Shimerville, Lehigh county). To Mr. and Mrs. Gottshall were born:
Elnora, at home; Margaret. at the West Chester State Normal School;
Pierce; Pearl; Martha, deceased; Franklin ; Chester and Stella.
Mrs. Gottshall has a grand father's clock that belonged to Mr.
Abraham Heistand. She also has the family tree of the Borneman
family. It was made of wood by Amos Borneman in 1870. taking
eighteen months of steady work. It is a piece of rare workmanship,
and has attracted considerable attention. Eight generations are
represented and 3.200 members of the family appear on it. Forty-two
pairs of twins are shown, four pairs appearing in one family of
thirteen children. This family tree is the only one of its kind
known to be in existence, and is considered very valuable.

Jacob C. Gottshall, who is conducting a thriving business in the
beautiful borough of Fleetwood, Pa., with his bakery situated on
Main street, was born March 18, 1856, at Schwenkville, Montgomery
county, son of Rev. Moses H. Gottshall.

William Gottshall of Schwenkville, Pa.,
grandfather of Jacob C., was married to Magdalena Hunsberger, and
to them were born these children: Dillman; Abraham, who died in
infancy; William; Adam; Joseph; Moses; Andrew; John; Jacob;
Abraham; Elizabeth and Hannah. The father of these children died in
his ninety-second year, his son, William also attaining advanced
age, dying in 1901, aged ninety-five years. Numerous members of the
Gottshall family have been Mennonite ministers, and at present
Moses H. Gottshall (father of Jacob C.), Abraham Gottshall (uncle
of Jacob C.), William Gottshall (a brother), and Harvey Allebach (a
nephew) are ministers of that faith in Montgomery county.

Rev. Moses H. Gottshall was born March 25, 1815,
and died in 1888, having been a New Mennonite minister of the
Gospel for nearly fifty years, preaching at Schwenkville for
forty-two consecutive years. This charge was supplied by members of
the Gottshall family for more than sixty years. In addition to his
ministerial duties Rev. Mr. Gottshall operated a farm of 100 acres
which had been in the family name for over a century. He was first
married to Hannah Clemens, and to this union were born children as
follows: Katie m. John Allebach, of the Skippack; Lizzie, deceased,
m. Jacob R. Allebach, merchant at Green Lane; Maggie m. David
Wasser, miller, at Schwenkville, and both are deceased; Henry died
aged twenty-four years; Moses and Hannah died in infancy from
croup; Moses (2) m. Annie Stauffer, of Kraussdale, Montgomery
county; and Jacob C. Mr. Gottshall m. (second) Mary Shelly, and two
children were born to this union: Hannah died in infancy; and
William m. Nancy Von Neida, of Lancaster county.

Jacob C. Gottshall received his education in the
schools of his native place, and was reared to farm work. In 1893
he removed to Fleetwood and engaged in the baking business, which
he has continued with much success to the present time. His
business has grown rapidly, and he now employs two teams, his
bakery being fitted up with the latest and most improved machinery.
On Sept. 4, 1880, he married Sarah W. Urffer, daughter of Daniel Y.
and Susannah (Weigner) Urffer, of Sassamansville, Montgomery
county, and to this union have been born: Alice U., m. to Howard
Brown, of Fleetwood, Pa.; Howard U.; Ezra U.; and Jacob U.

Mr. Gottshall is a member of the Mennonite
Church, which he attends regularly and supports liberally. He is a
Republican, but he has never taken, more that a good citizen's
interest in political matters, preferring to give his time and
attention to his business. He is greatly esteemed in his community,
where his many sterling traits of character and mind are recognized
and appreciated.

James I. Gougler, a highly esteemed citizen of Mohnton, Berks Co.,
Pa., engaged in the butchering business, was born at Gouglersville,
this county, Jan. 6, 1862, son of Philip and Susan (Spohn) Gougler.

Philip Gougler, the grandfather of James I., was
a farmer of Chester county, and also engaged in the cabinet-making
and undertaking business at Yellow Springs. He was a true Christian
man, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and was held in
the highest esteem in his community. He married Catherine Pool, who
died aged sixty-five years, and he passed away in his sixty-seventh
year; both are buried at the Pikeland cemetery in Chester county.
Thirteen children were born to Philip Gougler and his wife, namely:
Nicholas died single at the age of twenty-five years; Henry died in
Illinois; John, born May 15, 1806, married Maria Bomberger, and had
these children, Emeline B., Mary A. B., Jeremiah, Catherine, Henry,
Harriet and John; Philip became the father of James I.; Samuel
married Elizabeth Longecker, who died at Pottstown, Pa., the mother
of one son, John; William died single in Philadelphia; Isaiah died
unmarried in Boston; Elizabeth, who married John Lafferty, died in
Indiana; Kate married James Watkins, and died in Philadelphia, the
mother of these children, Isabella, Esther, Mary and William;
Esther married (first) a Mr. Louter, and had children, Louis, Harry
and Emma, and married (second) John Elliott, by whom she had one
child, Howard (she died in Philadelphia); Rebecca, who married
George Walters, died at Phoenixville, Chester county, the mother of
seven children, all of who died in infancy except Noah; Christiana,
who married Henry Ramsey, also died at Phoenixville; and Mary died
young.

John Gougler, of the above family, with his
brother, Philip, founded Gouglersville, at which place the brothers
established a post-office in 1855. In 1813 an inn had been
established at the place by Jacob Reedy, and it was later kept by
William Kohl, from whom it was purchased in 1842 by John Gougler,
he greatly enlarging it and making many improvements. During the
days of the stage coach, before the advent of the Philadelphia
& Reading Railroad, this hotel was one of the main stopping
places, and here horses were changed. In 1843 John Gougler
established his store at this place, and here he and his wife died,
being buried at the place.

Philip Gougler, father of James I., was born
near Springfield, Chester county, and when a young man came to
Berks county. He was employed by his brother John in the general
store, and later engaged in the hotel business, bought out his
brother's interest in the store, and for thirty-one years was
proprietor of both enterprises. Some years prior to his death he
retired. He was also engaged in the undertaking and furniture
business and was one of the leading men of his community. In
political matters he was a Democrat. He died in the faith of the
Lutheran Church and was buried at the Gouglersville cemetery.
Philip Gougler married Susan Spohn, and to them were born children
as follows: Lewis, who married Ellen Moore, died at the age of
twenty six years; twins died in infancy; Rosa, who married
Jefferson Marks, resides at Vinemont, Pa., and has twin boys,
Calvin and Irwin; and James I.

James I. Gougler obtained his education in the
schools of his native locality, and remained with his father until
the latter's death, which occurred when James was eighteen years of
age. He learned the butchering business with his brother, Lewis,
and in 1881, when nineteen years old, embarked in business on his
own account, starting in a very humble way. Through his business
ability and good management, his honesty and straight-forwardness
in all dealings, and his general popularity, he has built his
business up until it is now one of the largest in its line in the
county. He owns the meat market at Ninth and Penn streets, Reading,
attends the Kissinger market, having two stands there, and employs
ten skilled butchers. He kills from forty to fifty steers weekly,
finding a ready sale for his product in Mohnton, Reading and the
surrounding country, and has three wagons constantly delivering his
goods. He is both retail and wholesale, and the business is
steadily reaching larger proportions. At one time Mr. Gougler went
West for his cattle, but he now secures his meat in Lancaster
county. He is a large property owner, having nine dwelling-houses
in Mohnton and several in Shillington, and in 1896 erected his
present modern residence on Wyomissing avenue, which is provided
with the most modern improvements. He is a director in the Mohnton
National Bank of Mohnton. His fraternal connections are with
Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 485 and the Knights of the Golden
Eagle.

Mr. Gougler was married to Miss Susan Tothero,
daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Whitman) Tothero, and granddaughter
of Michael and Elizabeth (Frederick) Whitman. To this union have
been born children as follows: James B., a graduate of the Keystone
State Normal School, Kutztown, class of 1906, is now teaching in
Mohnton; Naomi A., a graduate of the Shillington high school, class
of 1907, is a student of Maryland College, Lutherville, Md.;
Clarence T. is a butcher by trade.

In political matters Mr. Gougler is a Democrat,
and he has always interested himself in movements calculated to be
of benefit to his community. He was elected the first chief burgess
of Mohnton by a large majority. He attends St. John's Lutheran
Church.